Cooling Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cooling apparatus includes a convoying unit and a spraying unit. The convoying unit includes a base and a plurality of rollers. The base includes a feeding end and a discharging end in which a convoying direction extends from the feeding end to the discharging end. The rollers are arranged on the base. Each roller includes a convoying portion. The convoying portion has a diameter which reduces from two ends to a center thereof. Each roller includes a shaft. The shaft has an axle direction which is at a diverted angle to the convoying portion. The diverted angle is 15° to 90°. The spraying unit includes at least one nozzle unit arranged between the feeding end and the discharging end. In this arrangement, a cooling operation can be performed on a rod-shaped steel material that is moving and rotating at the same time, attaining uniform and fast cooling effect.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 104141192, filed on Dec. 8, 2015, and the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a cooling apparatus and, more particularly, to a cooling apparatus that can perform a cooling operation on a rod-shaped steel material.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heat treatment process is able to change the mechanical properties of a steel material during the processing of the steel material. The heat treatment process includes annealing, quenching and tempering. As an example of quenching, when a steel material is heated to a predetermined temperature, a cooling apparatus can perform a fast cooling operation on the steel material. In this regard, the cooling apparatus can change the metamorphosis of the steel material by controlling the cooling temperature of the steel material. As such, the mechanical properties (such as stiffness or ductility) of the steel material can meet the required standards.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional cooling apparatus 8 including a cooling body 81 and a circular inlet lid 82. The circular inlet lid 82 is arranged at one end of the cooling body 81. When a rod-shaped steel material S is inserted into a chamber 811 of the cooling body 81, cooling liquid can be injected into the chamber 811 via a circular liquid exit 821 of the circular inlet lid 82. As such, a cooling operation can be performed on the steel material S in the chamber 811. Since the liquid exit 821 is located at one end of the chamber 811, when the cooling liquid is injected into the chamber 811, the portion of the steel material S adjacent to the liquid exit 821 can have a lower temperature due to the better cooling efficiency. As the cooling liquid continues to absorb the heat and flow away from the liquid exit 821, the portion of the steel material S distant to the liquid exit 821 will have a relatively higher temperature due to the lower cooling efficiency. In addition, when the chamber 811 is full of the cooling liquid having absorbed a large amount of heat, the overall cooling speed of the steel material S will be affected. Thus, the conventional cooling apparatus 8 has the disadvantages of uneven cooling effect and low cooling speed. One embodiment of the conventional cooling apparatus 8 can be seen in China Patent No. 201367452.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 9 for producing hot-rolled steel sheets. The machine 9 includes a hot-rolling processing machine 91, a cooling machine 92 and a thermal circulation cooling machine 93 which are sequentially arranged in a convoying direction of the steel material S. The steel material S is in a plate form. The cooling machine 92 includes a plurality of rollers 921 and a clamping roller unit 922 for convoying the steel material S. A plurality of cooling nozzles (not shown) can be arranged above and below the rollers 921 and the clamping roller unit 922 for cooling the steel material S during the movement of the steel material S. However, the rollers 921 and the clamping roller unit 922 can convoy only the plate steel material S but cannot convey the rod-shaped steel material S. The rollers 921 and the clamping roller unit 922 are even not capable of uniformly cooling the rod-shaped steel material S when the rod-shaped steel material S is rotating. Thus, the cooling machine 92 has the disadvantages of uneven cooling effect and low cooling speed for a rod-shaped steel material. One embodiment of the cooling machine 92 can be seen in Taiwan Patent No. 1445581.

In light of this, it is necessary to provide a cooling apparatus to overcome the deficiencies of uneven cooling effect and low cooling speed of the conventional cooling facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the objective of this disclosure to provide a cooling apparatus which can perform a cooling operation on a rod-shaped steel material while the rod-shaped steel material is moving and rotating. Thus, uniform cooling efficiency can be attained.

It is another objective of this disclosure to provide a cooling apparatus which can eject cooling liquid to the rod-shaped steel material while the rod-shaped steel material is moving and rotating. Thus, the cooling process can be speeded up.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a cooling apparatus including a convoying unit and a spraying unit is disclosed. The convoying unit includes a base and a plurality of rollers. The base includes a feeding end and a discharging end in which a convoying direction extends from the feeding end to the discharging end. The plurality of rollers is arranged on the base. Each of the plurality of rollers includes a convoying portion. The convoying portion has a diameter which reduces from two ends to a center of the convoying portion. Each of the plurality of rollers includes a shaft. The shaft has an axle direction which is at a diverted angle to the convoying portion. The diverted angle is 15° to 90°. The spraying unit includes at least one nozzle unit arranged between the feeding end and the discharging end of the base. In this arrangement, a cooling operation can be performed on a rod-shaped steel material that is moving and rotating at the same time, attaining uniform and fast cooling effect.

In a form shown, the diverted angle is 45°. As such, the rod-shaped steel material can be convoyed and rotated in a smooth manner at the same time.

In the form shown, the axle directions of the plurality of rollers are parallel to each other. As such, the rod-shaped steel material can be convoyed and rotated in a smooth manner at the same time.

In the form shown, the convoying unit further includes a driving motor connected to the shafts of the plurality of rollers via a linking unit. In this arrangement, the rollers can be rotated at the same time.

In the form shown, the convoying portion has an outer face in a form of a concave curved face. As such, the rod-shaped steel material can be convoyed and rotated in a smooth manner at the same time.

In the form shown, the convoying portions of the plurality of rollers form a conveying axis at one side of the convoying portions away from the base. The conveying axis is parallel to the convoying direction. As such, the rod-shaped steel material can be convoyed and rotated in a smooth manner at the same time.

In the form shown, each of the at least one nozzle unit includes a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening facing the conveying axis. As such, a cooling operation can be smoothly performed on the object convoyed by the convoying portions.

In the form shown, the plurality of nozzles is arranged in an inclined manner between the feeding end and the discharging end. Thus, the heat treatment process can be smoothly performed.

In the form shown, each of the plurality of nozzles has a flow reflection direction not parallel to the convoying direction. Thus, uniform cooling effect can be attained.

In the form shown, there is an ejection angle between the flow reflection direction and the convoying direction. The ejection angle is between 20° and 80°. Thus, flexible use can be attained.

In the form shown, each of the at least one nozzle unit includes three nozzles surrounding the conveying axis in an even angle of 120°. Thus, uniform and fast cooling effect can be attained.

In the form shown, each of the at least one nozzle unit includes six nozzles surrounding the conveying axis in an even angle of 60°. Thus, uniform and fast cooling effect can be attained.

In the form shown, the spraying unit further includes a support coupled with the base of the convoying unit, and the at least one nozzle unit is arranged on the support. As such, a cooling operation can be smoothly performed on the object convoyed by the convoying portions.

Based on the above, a cooling operation can be performed on the rod-shaped steel material that is moving and rotating at the same time. Then, the spraying unit can perform a cooling operation on the rod-shaped steel material, attaining a uniform cooling effect.

Moreover, the cooling apparatus of the disclosure can perform a cooling operation on the rod-shaped steel material that is moving and rotating at the same time. In this regard, since the steel material is rotating constantly, it can prevent the cooling liquid from remaining on the surface of the rod-shaped steel material, thus facilitating the cooling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a conventional cooling apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows another conventional cooling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows the cooling apparatus of the embodiment of the disclosure after assembly.

FIG. 5 shows the cooling apparatus convoying a rod-shaped steel material according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a roller of the cooling apparatus of the embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a partial view of the cooling apparatus illustrating the arrangement of the nozzles according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows the flow path of the cooling liquid of the cooling apparatus according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a partial view of the cooling apparatus illustrating the arrangement of the nozzle unit.

FIG. 10 shows a partial view of the cooling apparatus illustrating another arrangement of the nozzle unit.

In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “inner”, “outer”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear” and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The cooling apparatus includes a convoying unit 1 and a spraying unit 2. The spraying unit 2 is arranged at one side of the convoying unit 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the convoying unit 1 includes a base 11 and a plurality of rollers 12. The base 11 includes a feeding end 111 and a discharging end 112 in which a convoying direction D1 extends from the feeding end 111 to the discharging end 112. The rollers 12 are arranged on the base 11. Each of the rollers 12 includes a convoying portion 121. The convoying portion 121 has a diameter which reduces from two ends to the center thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6, the convoying portion 121 of the roller 12 has a varying diameter in this embodiment. The convoying portion 121 has an outer face which forms a curved face in a linear manner. In the embodiment, the outer face of the convoying portion 121 is in the form of a concave curved face. The convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12 form a conveying axis L1 at one side of the convoying portions 121 away from the base 11. The conveying axis L1 is parallel to the convoying direction D1. Based on this, when the rod-shaped steel material S is placed on the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12, the convoying portions 121 may apply a movement force and a rotational force to the rod-shaped steel material S while each roller 12 rotates about a shaft 122. As such, the rod-shaped steel material S may move in the convoying direction D1 while rotating upon the concave curved faces of the convoying portions 121. Thus, the rod-shaped steel material S can have both the movement and rotation effects at the same time. The diameter change of the convoying portion 121 is not limited, but may be adjusted according to the shape of the rod-shaped steel material S.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, each roller 12 includes a shaft 122 extending in an axle direction D2. The axle directions D2 of the shafts 122 of the rollers 12 are parallel to each other. Namely, the rollers 12 are arranged on the base 11 in the same orientation, thereby driving the rod-shaped steel material S to move and rotate simultaneously. Furthermore, the axle direction D2 is at a diverted angle A1 to the convoying direction D1. The diverted angle A1 is between 15° and 90°. This indicates that the axle direction D2 is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the convoying direction D1. In this arrangement, the movement force and rotational force that have been applied to the rod-shaped steel material S by the rollers 12 can be adjusted. Thus, the rod-shaped steel material S can be convoyed in the convoying direction D1 in a greater speed or can rotate faster. In a preferred case, the diverted angle A1 is 45°. The angle can be limited in a certain range to achieve a balance between the movement force and the rotational force as applied by the rollers 12. Thus, the rod-shaped steel material S can move in the convoying direction D1 while maintaining a proper rotational speed, permitting the rod-shaped steel material S to smoothly move and rotate at the same time.

The outer face of the convoying portion 121 of each roller 12 has a certain level of roughness Ra, which is preferably between 1 μm to 20 μm. Thus, when the rod-shaped steel material S makes contact with the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12, it can ensure a proper frictional force between the convoying portions 121 and the rod-shaped steel material S without affecting the surface integrity of the rod-shaped steel material S. The frictional force can also help the rod-shaped steel material S to move and rotate smoothly at the same time.

Besides, the convoying unit 1 further includes a driving motor 13 connected to the shafts 122 of the rollers 12 via a linking unit 14. In this arrangement, the driving motor 13 can guide the rollers 12 to rotate at the same time. Thus, smooth rotation of the rollers 12 is attained. There can also be a plurality of driving motors 13 that drives the rollers 12 to rotate at the same speed (for example, each driving motor 13 drives a respective roller 12). Thus, the output power of each driving motor 13 can be lowered to reduce the entire cost of the driving motors 13.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the spraying unit 2 includes a plurality of nozzle units 21 arranged between the feeding end 111 and the discharging end 112 of the base 11.

Each of the nozzle units 21 includes a plurality of nozzles 211 substantially facing the conveying axis L1 formed by the rollers 12. The nozzles 211 substantially face the conveying axis L1. For example, when the rod-shaped steel material S is convoyed by the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12, if the rod-shaped steel material S is in line contact with the outer faces of the convoying portions 121, the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S will overlap with the conveying axis L1. In this regard, when the openings of the nozzles 211 substantially face the conveying axis L1, the nozzles 211 can substantially face the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S. Each of the nozzles 211 can eject a cooling liquid which can be any working liquid having a heat exchanging function. In the embodiment, the cooling liquid is water. Thus, the nozzles 211 of the nozzle units 21 can provide a cooling effect for the object conveyed by the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12.

Referring to FIG. 7, the arrangement of the nozzles 211 is not limited. The nozzles 211 can be arranged in perpendicular to the convoying direction D1, so that the cooling liquid is ejected from the nozzle 211 in a direction perpendicular to the convoying direction D1. As an alternative shown in the embodiment, the nozzles 211 may be arranged in an inclined manner between the feeding end 111 and the discharging end 112. Thus, the ejecting direction of the cooling liquid may include a horizontal component and a vertical component (according to the arrangement shown in the drawing). The horizontal component of the ejecting direction of the cooling liquid is opposite to the convoying direction D1. Thus, the ejected cooling liquid can apply a larger impact force to the rod-shaped steel material S moving in the convoying direction D1, thereby breaking the vapor film on the surface of the rod-shaped steel material S and cooling the rod-shaped steel material S. The impact force can also flush the rust scale from the surface of the rod-shaped steel material S. Based on the above, smooth heat treatment can be performed.

Referring to FIG. 8, each of the nozzles 211 may have a circular or sectorial opening. The circular opening can eject a fluid flow with circular cross sections, and the sectorial opening can eject a fluid flow with sectorial cross sections. As an example of sectorial openings of the nozzles 211, the opening of the nozzle 211 has a major axis and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis. Each nozzle 211 has a flow reflection direction D3 which is the extending direction of the major axis of the sectorial opening. The flow reflection direction D3 is not parallel to the convoying direction D 1. Based on the arrangement, the cooling liquid that emerges from the nozzles 211 can have more uniform contact with the object (such as the rod-shaped steel material S), thus attaining a uniform cooling effect.

There is an ejection angle A2 between the flow reflection direction D3 of the nozzle 211 and the convoying direction D 1. The ejection angle A2 is between 20° and 80°. Based on the arrangement, it is possible to control the contact area between the cooling liquid and the object (such as the rod-shaped steel material S). Thus, flexible use is attained.

The quantity of the nozzles 211 is not limited herein. In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, each nozzle unit 21 includes three nozzles 211 surrounding the conveying axis L1. For any two adjacent nozzles 211, each nozzle 211 has an extending line passing through the rod-shaped steel material S. In this regard, there is an angle A3 between the extending lines of the two adjacent nozzles 211. The angle A3 is 120°. In this regard, when the rod-shaped steel material S is convoyed by the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12, if the rod-shaped steel material S is in line contact with the outer faces of the convoying portion 121, the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S will overlap with the conveying axis L1. Thus, when the openings of the nozzles 211 substantially face the conveying axis L1, the nozzles 211 can substantially face the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S. Based on this arrangement, the cooling liquid can be uniformly ejected to the rod-shaped steel material S in three directions, attaining a uniform cooling effect and facilitating the cooling process.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, in another embodiment of the disclosure, each nozzle unit 21 includes six nozzles 211 surrounding the conveying axis L1. For any two adjacent nozzles 211, each nozzle 211 has an extending line passing through the rod-shaped steel material S. In this regard, there is an angle A3 between the extending lines of the two adjacent nozzles 211. The angle A3 is 60°. In this regard, when the rod-shaped steel material S is convoyed by the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12, if the rod-shaped steel material S is in line contact with the outer faces of the convoying portion 121, the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S will overlap with the conveying axis L1. Thus, when the openings of the nozzles 211 substantially face the conveying axis L1, the nozzles 211 can substantially face the central axis of the rod-shaped steel material S. Based on this arrangement, the cooling liquid can be uniformly ejected to the rod-shaped steel material S in six directions, attaining a uniform cooling effect and facilitating the cooling process.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the spraying unit 2 further includes a support 22 coupled with the base 11 of the convoying unit 1. The nozzle units 21 are arranged on the support 22. The support 22 may be used as a transmission pipe for transmission of the cooling liquid. The nozzle units 21 may intercommunicate with the transmission pipe such that the cooling liquid in the transmission pipe may be ejected from the nozzle units 21. In this arrangement, the nozzle units 21 can be mounted at one side of the convoying unit 1 via the support 22. Even the cooling liquid can be transmitted via the support 22, permitting the cooling liquid to be smoothly ejected to the object.

In overall, when it is about to perform the cooling operation on the rod-shaped steel material S, the rod-shaped steel material S can be placed on the convoying portions 121 of the rollers 12. Since the axle direction D2 of the shaft 122 of the roller 12 is not parallel to the convoying direction D1, when the rod-shaped steel material S is in contact with the concave curved faces of the convoying portion 121, the rod-shaped steel material S not only can be conveyed in the convoying direction D1 by the rollers 12, but also can rotate upon the concave curved faces of the convoying portion 121. Then, the nozzle units 21 of the spraying unit 2 can eject the cooling liquid to the rod-shaped steel material S that is moving and rotating at the same time. In this regard, the cooling liquid can be uniformly and properly ejected to the surface of the rod-shaped steel material S based on the inclination of the nozzles 211 between the feeding end 111 and the discharging end 112 or by controlling the ejection angle A2 between the flow reflection direction D3 of the nozzle 211 and the convoying direction D1, or also by controlling the quantity and arrangement of the nozzles 211 in each nozzle unit 21. As a result, uniform and fast cooling effect can be attained.

Based on the above, the cooling apparatus of the disclosure drives the rod-shaped steel material S to move and rotate at the same time through the convoying unit 1, and then performs a cooling operation on the rod-shaped steel material S through the spraying unit 2. Thus, a uniform cooling effect can be attained.

Moreover, the cooling apparatus of the disclosure can perform, through the spraying unit 2, a cooling operation on the rod-shaped steel material S that is moving and rotating at the same time. In this regard, since the steel material is rotating constantly, it can prevent the cooling liquid from remaining on the surface of the rod-shaped steel material. Thus, the cooling process can be speeded up.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling apparatus comprising: a convoying unit comprising a base and a plurality of rollers, wherein the base comprises a feeding end and a discharging end, wherein a convoying direction extends from the feeding end to the discharging end, wherein the plurality of rollers is arranged on the base, wherein each of the plurality of rollers comprises a convoying portion, wherein the convoying portion has a diameter which reduces from two ends to a center of the convoying portion, wherein each of the plurality of rollers comprises a shaft, wherein the shaft has an axle direction which is at a diverted angle to the convoying portion, wherein the diverted angle is 15° to 90°; and a spraying unit comprising at least one nozzle unit arranged between the feeding end and the discharging end of the base.
 2. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diverted angle is 45°.
 3. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle directions of the plurality of rollers are parallel to each other.
 4. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convoying unit further comprises a driving motor connected to the shafts of the plurality of rollers via a linking unit.
 5. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convoying portion has an outer face in a form of a concave curved face.
 6. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the convoying portions of the plurality of rollers form a conveying axis at one side of the convoying portions away from the base, wherein the conveying axis is parallel to the convoying direction.
 7. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the at least one nozzle unit comprises a plurality of nozzles, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening facing the conveying axis.
 8. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of nozzles is arranged in an inclined manner between the feeding end and the discharging end.
 9. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles has a flow reflection direction not parallel to the convoying direction.
 10. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is an ejection angle between the flow reflection direction and the convoying direction, wherein the ejection angle is between 20° and 80°.
 11. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the at least one nozzle unit comprises three nozzles surrounding the conveying axis in an even angle of 120°.
 12. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the at least one nozzle unit comprises six nozzles surrounding the conveying axis in an even angle of 60°.
 13. The cooling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spraying unit further comprises a support coupled with the base of the convoying unit, wherein the at least one nozzle unit is arranged on the support. 